Stephen Morris

MIAMI GARDENS -- Miami quarterback Stephen Morris was leading another promising Hurricanes rally when he suffered an ankle injury that knocked him out of the team's game against North Carolina. Coach Al Golden had no update on Morris' status immediately following the game. It turned out to be a punishing blow that thwarted Miami's shot at a comeback. North Carolina (5-2, 2-1 ACC) earned an 18-14 win over the Hurricanes (4-3, 3-1 ACC). Morris' teammates kneeled and bowed their heads while athletic trainers treated Morris during the fourth quarter.

CORAL GABLES - After tearing his ACL during spring practice, Miami quarterback Ryan Williams told family and friends he was going to do his best to work his way back onto the field in time for the Hurricanes' game against Nebraska. Now, with Miami's trip to Lincoln just days away, Hurricanes coach Al Golden said Williams, projected to be Miami's starter until his injury, has made the kind of progress that could have him competing for playing time soon. He'll be one of the three quarterbacks traveling to Nebraska with starter Brad Kaaya , who is coming off an impressive performance in Miami's 41-20 win over Arkansas State this weekend, and back-up Jake Heaps . “He took more reps today than he has since the injury,” Golden said of Williams after Wednesday's practice.

CORAL GABLES -- On the surface, nothing was different. Stephen Morris and Ryan Williams still casually warmed up throwing passes to each other Tuesday morning at the UM practice facility. Practice No. 13 started just like the previous 12. There was a different feel, however, after the opening exercises. Just 12 hours earlier, Morris was officially named the starting quarterback over his throwing partner. Morris was meeting with offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch on Monday afternoon when the news was delivered.

CORAL GABLES - This time, the talk is all about football and nothing but football. During his tenure at Miami, Hurricanes coach Al Golden has presided over three preseason camps clouded by uncertainty while an NCAA investigation lingered over his program. But this month, as he and his players began the process of preparing for the season ahead, the questions they've faced have been about quarterbacks - and not rogue boosters or improper benefits. The focus has been on finding ways to shore up Miami's defensive line and not on defending the program to critics and opposing coaches hoping to land some of the Hurricanes' recruits.

CORAL GABLES - Sometimes it's hard to explain. This time it isn't. No, the stars didn't align, nor did some profound moment wash over Miami quarterback Stephen Morris. But at some point in the third quarter at Georgia Tech, something clicked. Well, a few things clicked. He's been on a record-bashing heater ever since. After leading the Hurricanes (4-1) to 23 straight points and a comeback in Atlanta, Morris set school and ACC marks with 566 passing yards Saturday against N.C. State.

Miami Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon said Tuesday that true freshman quarterback Stephen Morris will make his third consecutive start Saturday against Virginia Tech. Shannon said that Jacory Harris, who sustained a concussion Oct. 30, was being evaluated by a neurologist. "Concussions are serious," Shannon said. "A lot of fans, media, bloggers, y'all think it's a deal where you can just show up the next and play. It's not that way. I'm not going to put nobody in harm. this University is going to put nobody in harm.

CORAL GABLES - Only four quarterbacks in Miami history threw for more passing yards in a game than Stephen Morris did Saturday. Still, when the junior flipped on the tape from his 436-yard game at Georgia Tech, he saw many squandered opportunities. Coach Al Golden said there were a few minor mechanical issues that Morris identified as well. "I'm trying to keep my front knee a little bit better - a little more athletic," Morris said. "It was locking out on me a couple times causing the ball to go up and down.

Jacory Harris jogged back to Miami's sideline. It was Stephen Morris' turn. Morris, standing next to offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, was told the play — a designed quarterback run — and jogged onto the field. Morris took the snap, rushed right, and was dropped for a 6-yard loss by Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner, who easily shed receiver Allen Hurn's attempted block. Morris headed back to the sideline. On came Harris again. On the next play, Harris, who had completed all four passes on this drive, lofted a pass into double coverage into the end zone for Tommy Streeter.

TALLAHASSEE - In the days leading up to Miami's game against Florida State, Hurricanes coach Al Golden expressed hope - yet again - that Stephen Morris' ankle woes were behind him. “He looks different. His personality is coming back,” Golden said this past Tuesday. “He's not worried about it, there's no anguish over anything. He's starting to feel good and get back and we're excited.” Saturday night in Tallahassee, Morris had moments where it seemed like the injury was still bothering him, and then showed the flashes of brilliance that had Golden encouraged.

MIAMI GARDENS — Wincing in pain, Stephen Morris needed two trainers and a padded boot to limp out of Sun Life Stadium early Saturday evening. Fans chanted his name, but the Miami quarterback was done for the day — maybe longer. It was Ryan Williams' shot with UM down four, under two minutes left and 83 yards away from victory. The frantic scramble ended 24 yards shy when a fourth-and-16 Clive Walford catch covered just 11. Miami lost to North Carolina 18-14, but the uncertain quarterback picture looms larger.

For both Miami and Louisville, there is no soft, non-conference game to open the season. The two teams, who last met in December's Russell Athletic Bowl which Louisville dominated, will face off before a national audience on Monday night in a game that has higher stakes now that the Cardinals have joined the ACC. And in the days leading up to the opener, both Louisville coach Bobby Petrino and Miami coach Al Golden have publicly said...

A season ago, Stacy Coley emerged as one of the most electrifying players in the ACC. The Miami receiver was the only FBS player to score a touchdown four different ways, rushing for a score, catching seven touchdown passes and returning both a punt and a kickoff for scores. He led the Hurricanes with 1,461 all-purpose yards and his 591 receiving yards and seven touchdown catches are tops among all the returning members of Miami's receiving corps. Yet through the first four practices of Miami's season, the former Northeast High star hasn't been able to snag one of the highly-coveted orange jerseys coaches use to designate offensive leaders.

For the first time in his tenure at Miami, Al Golden will open camp without the specter of an NCAA investigation looming. But that doesn't necessarily mean the days leading up to the Hurricanes' first practice of the 2014 season have been quiet. Friday morning, Miami announced the departure of longtime linebackers coach Micheal Barrow, which prompted reshuffling of the Hurricanes coaching staff. Later that afternoon, 560-WQAM reported Kevin Olsen, who is expected to be one of the top competitors for the Hurricanes' starting quarterback job, will be suspended for at least one game after failing a drug test.

Losing a starting quarterback is a tough for any college football team, but for Miami, everything seemed settled after Stephen Morris graduated. Ryan Williams , Morris' back-up last season and a Memphis transfer, was poised to take over the offense during most of spring practice. Redshirt freshman Kevin Olsen was making progress and incoming freshmen Brad Kaaya and Malik Rosier would arrive and add depth to a position of need. Then Williams, a former star at Miramar High, tore his ACL. Suddenly, there were quarterback questions.

- Ryan Williams isn't exactly one to show too much emotion. His family likes to joke about the lanky quarterback's uncanny ability to deal with whatever punches life throws at him, but even he admits the past few months have been a roller coaster of highs and lows. There was the moment he learned he was going to be a father. The solid start in spring practice that pushed him atop the Hurricanes depth chart. Then the knee injury that left him worried and scared. It hasn't been an easy journey since he tore his ACL on that fateful play during an April scrimmage on Miami's practice field, but Williams believes that with his rehabilitation progressing smoothly and the birth of his son looming, things are again falling into place.

Stephen Morris and Allen Hurns will have the chance to chase their NFL dreams together. Neither the former Miami quarterback nor wide receiver were drafted on Saturday, but both inked free agent deals with Jacksonville where they'll reunite with former Hurricanes offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch who now holds the same position with the Jaguars. They'll also reunite with former offensive lineman Brandon Linder who was a third-round selection by the Jaguars late Friday night.

Stephen Morris could not know the history of the message. He could not know, for instance, when Ken Dorsey was the quarterback at Miami he heard it from Gino Torretta or Torretta heard it years earlier from Bernie Kosar. Kosar heard it before that from Jim Kelly. And Kelly? Maybe he even heard it from George Mira, who came to practice on occasion to help with Kelly's footwork. All Morris knows is Torretta stopped by practice on Tuesday, shook his hand and offered a couple words of encouragement in the wake of the ugly loss at Notre Dame.

CORAL GABLES - Order appeared lost before Stephen Morris spied Duke cornerback Ross Cockrell creeping. Miami's 3-touchdown lead slipped to 45-38 late in the season-finale when Morris, the Hurricanes' starting quarterback, made a subtle move. Cockrell was certainly coming on a blitz and freshman safety Dwayne Norman was playing at least 12 yards off receiver Herb Waters. The quick audible, quicker screen pass and one move from Waters gave Miami the 65-yard response. The touchdown following consecutive Duke scores helped Miami pull away for the 52-45 win. And for those watching closely, it highlighted the other reason pro scouts are locking in on Morris, the once lightly-recruited quarterback.

Stephen Morris gave himself four days. Four days to rest, four days to relax, four days to shift gears. His final season as Miami's quarterback was over, his final college game had been a disappointment and his career at Miami was over. With that came a need for reflection and recovery. Four days later, it was time to get to work. Now the next chapter is here. The NFL Draft begins Thursday and while Morris doesn't know when his name will be called, he knows a new challenge is ahead.

Less than a month after projected starter Ryan Williams tore his ACL in Miami's second spring scrimmage, Hurricanes coach Al Golden said the injured quarterback is making progress. But while Williams - a former Miramar High star - has begun the rehabilitation process, Golden said there is still no set timetable for the quarterback's return. Earlier this month, Williams told family members he was hoping to play in Miami's Sept. 20 game at Nebraska. “Everything they're telling me, everything is going really well.